Differentiation research (1994 – 1996)
A primary school in Stockport (near Manchester, UK) decided to pay particular attention to differentiation across the school for children from 4 through to 11 (Reception to Year 6). They wanted to explore which strategies appeared to have the greatest impact in classrooms. Stuart Naylor was invited to work with the school on this action research project. This provided the opportunity to gather data to look in more detail at the impact of the strategies the school was employing. The data were used to identify generic issues about differentiation and to support the school throughout the project.
Research questions were:
• In what ways do teachers in a primary school provide for differentiation for different children?
• What impact does differentiation appear to have on how children respond during the lesson?
Data were collected by classroom observations, followed by interviews with each of the teachers concerned.
The data showed that using strategies at the start of lessons that went beyond the obvious differentiation by task and by outcome appeared to have the most positive impact in the classroom. These strategies engaged learners but also pointed them towards where answers could be found and new learning gained. Helpful strategies appeared to allow learners at different levels of understanding to engage at their own level and to find appropriate routes to new learning. Findings from this project helped to inform the Active Assessment project.
Publications by Brenda Keogh and Stuart Naylor
Naylor S. & Keogh B. (2002) Dealing with differentiation. In S. Amos & R. Boohan (Eds), Aspects of teaching and learning science, 269-278. Open University.
Naylor S. & Keogh B. (1998) Progression and differentiation in science: general strategies. In A. Cross and G. Peet (Eds) Teaching Science in the Primary School: Book 2, p34-43. Northcote House Publishers.
Naylor S. & Keogh B. (1998) Progression and differentiation in science: some specific strategies. In A. Cross and G. Peet (Eds) Teaching Science in the Primary School: Book 2, 44-58. Northcote House Publishers.
Naylor S. & Keogh B. (1998) Differentiation. In R. Sherrington (Ed) ASE Guide to Primary Science Education, p140-7. ASE/Stanley Thornes.
Naylor S. & Keogh B. (1998) Differentiation. In M Ratcliffe (Ed) ASE Guide to Secondary Science Education, p167-174. ASE/Stanley Thornes
Naylor S. & Keogh B. (1997) Differentiation in teaching science. In A. Cross and G. Peet (Eds) Teaching Science in the Primary School: Book 1, p51-63. Northcote House Publishers.
Naylor S. (1996) A case study of differentiation in a primary school. Unpublished MA dissertation, Manchester Metropolitan University.
Naylor S. & Keogh B. (1995) Making differentiation manageable. School Science Review, 77, 279 106-110.
